So when she received a call saying she was the joint Hume citizen of the year, she thought they had the wrong person.

The 74-year-old resident, who moved to Sunbury 40 years ago, said she was embarrassed to receive the award.

"It's an honour, but I feel a bit embarrassed as there's lot of people who do good things and aren't rewarded."

Ms Davis, who shared the honour with Roxburgh Park's Zahra Baho, started the Leprosy Mission in Sunbury 28 years ago.

Leprosy causes skin sores, nerve damage and muscle weakness that can worsen over time.

"It's just dreadful, the stigma that's attached to leprosy in some countries," Ms Davis said.

"The disease is treatable and money is needed to fund medicines.

"If people with the disease take tablets, within 48 hours they are no longer infectious and within six months it's all cleared up.

"In some countries [leprosy] is seen as a punishment from the gods... some kids can't go to school if they have it."

Ms Davis is also involved with St Andrews Uniting Church, garden and walking clubs and the Sunbury and District Heritage Association.

She was last month named one of the 175 'faces of Sunbury'.

Hume mayor Ros Spence said choosing the citizen of the year was getting harder each year.

"The winners of our citizenship award, Elwyn Davis and Zahra Baho, are shining examples of how everyone can make a positive difference in our municipality."

Ms Davis was commended for her work with the heritage association, for being a volunteer at the George Evans Museum and a number of other groups and charities including the Community Health Centre and the Sunbury Girl Guides and Scouts.

Ms Baho was recognised because of her charity work with refugee women.